Removing Old Vinyl Flooring Techniques

by Laurie Reeves

Vinyl flooring was a favored choice in older homes.

Before you begin the project to remove old vinyl flooring in your home, you need to determine if the flooring contains asbestos. A majority of the vinyl flooring made before 1986 contained asbestos in the tiles or in the backing materials. Even some of the early peel-and-stick tiles used asbestos as the main ingredient. Asbestos was also found in the adhesives used to secure the flooring. To be safe, if you can’t identify whether the vinyl flooring in your home contains asbestos, follow the work practice recommendations of the Resilient Floor Covering Institute to remove old vinyl flooring.

Understanding and Identifying Asbestos in Flooring

Removing flooring materials that contain asbestos causes microscopic dust to get in the air, creating a breathing hazard. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber found in the earth and can only be identified under a special microscope. Breathing these fibers can lead to asbestosis or lung cancer known as mesothelioma. Many states have laws that prevent homeowners from removing any materials that contain asbestos from their homes. For instance, California law specifically requires certified professionals to remove and dispose of any materials that contain asbestos. You can visually identify vinyl flooring materials that contain asbestos by reviewing the “Vinyl-Asbestos Floor Tiles and Sheet Flooring Identification Photo Guide” (see Resources). However, a lab test is required to confirm whether the flooring or adhesive contains asbestos.

Removing Old Vinyl Flooring with Asbestos

Removing vinyl flooring with asbestos requires special safety clothing and breathing respirators. Professionals will not remove the flooring if it is dry by drilling, sanding, dry scraping or sawing. They will thoroughly wet the floor with a detergent solution. Do not use a broom to sweep up such materials. When vacuuming, the vacuum must have a disposable bag and be equipped with a high-efficiency particulate air filter and metal floor attachment that does not have a brush on it. Wet-scrape the vinyl underneath to remove the flooring. Place all flooring materials into impenetrable, 6-mil heavy-duty trash bags and seal or use leak-proof containers. For disposal, all bags and containers must be properly identified as containing asbestos.

Techniques to Remove Vinyl Flooring Without Asbestos

Remove the baseboards and any threshold covers installed over vinyl flooring seams between rooms. You can remove vinyl flooring materials you are positive do not contain asbestos by dry-scraping or using a mechanical multitool to make the project go quickly. Work from one side of the room to the other. Find a loose edge or pry up a flooring edge with a putty knife or other pry tool to get started. Roll the vinyl flooring up as you go, if in one piece, to make room to get underneath the flooring that is still attached. Scape underneath the flooring until it is completely removed.

Removing Old Adhesives

Vinyl flooring with asbestos may also have adhesives that contain asbestos as well. Professionals follow the same procedures for removing flooring that contains asbestos when removing adhesive. They do not sand any adhesive suspected of containing asbestos. They wet the floor with a detergent solution and scrape the floor with a scraper while it is wet. Use this same process when removing adhesives that don't contain asbestos as well, as the detergent solution helps to loosen the adhesive. For nonasbestos adhesives, use a wet-dry vacuum to clean up any remaining loose adhesive.

About the Author

As a native Californian, artist, businessperson, contractor, journalist and published author, Laurie Reeves began writing professionally in 1975. She has written for newspapers, magazines, online publications and sites. In 2003, she and her husband moved into the home she designed, they built and decorated. Reeves graduated from San Diego's Coleman College.

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